Lightenings viii
The animlas say: when the monks of Clonmacnoise
Were all at prayers inside the oratory
a ship appeared above them in the air.
The anchor dragged along behind so deep
It hooked itself into the altar rails
An then, as the big hull rocked to a standstill.
A crewman shinned and grappled down a rope
And struggled to release it. But in vain.
'This man can't bear … [Read more...] about Seamus Heaney
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
Seamus Heaney
Seamus Heaney
35 Years: 1985-2020
Looking back at Irish America’s premier issue we see that it set the tone for what was to come: a thorough investigation into what it means to be Irish American. Thirty-five years later, we are still answering that question and still pondering the answers. Enjoy these quotes compiled over 35 years. -The Irish America Team 1986 Tip O'Neill “Growing up as a youngster in … [Read more...] about 35 Years: 1985-2020
A Look Back at the First Annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry
Saturday, September 25, 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry. Seamus Heaney himself inaugurated the first Tom Quinlan lecture in 2011 at Glucksman Ireland House NYU to endorse the importance of the first published book of poetry in a poet’s literary life. The lecture series, established by the Quinlan family, is named for Tom Quinlan … [Read more...] about A Look Back at the First Annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry
“Keeping Going”
What help can poetry be during a pandemic? This summer it feels like Ireland needs Americans and Americans need Ireland more than ever. I have visited Ireland close to twenty times since my first trip there in the late 1970s, drawn by the country’s remarkable beauty, justly famous hospitality, and, during the 90s, by my interest in American involvement in the Northern … [Read more...] about “Keeping Going”
The Annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry
November 1: For the eighth year, Glucksman Ireland House at NYU welcomed the winner of one of the poetry world’s most coveted prizes, the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry Prize for First Full Collection as judged by a select committee at Queens University Belfast. This year’s judges were Professor Nick Laird, Chair of Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney … [Read more...] about The Annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry